I still think this is one giant troll job. He's HAS to be picking the most controversial folks on purpose. He's passed on the ones like Christie, who people would probably roll their eyes at, in favor of people who have publicly humiliated themselves with embarrassing views or displays of lack of knowledge.

Put the pro-Putin thing aside. Even if that's the wrong view and they're ignorant with their views/poising us for potential failure, foreign policy of such a sort is dramatically different from being an inherently hateful person with power to act on such hate.